Q. The federal government has recently announced a number of major spending initiatives on health, education and defence reforms that will involve substantial investment over the next few years. For each of the reforms as they are described below, please indicate whether you believe it should be implemented or not

Implement the reform if it means higher taxes (including corporate and mining taxes) and cuts in other areas

Do not implement the reform if it means higher taxes (including corporate and mining taxes) or cuts in other areas

No opinion

National Disability Insurance Scheme to improve care and support for all people in Australia with a significant and permanent disability

58%

22%

20%

New dental health scheme to provide free dental care for low-income patients and children

53%

29%

18%

Gonski reforms to education to increase funding for each primary and secondary school student across the country

48%

30%

21%

Purchase of new advanced submarines for the Australian Defence Force

24%

50%

26%

The majority of respondents support implementing the NDIS (58%) and the new dental health scheme (53%) if it means higher taxes (including corporate and mining taxes) and cuts in other areas.

A large portion of respondents (48%) also agree with implementing the Gonski reforms if it means higher taxes and cuts in other areas, whereas 30% would prefer to see these reforms not implemented.

On the purchase of new submarines for the ADF, most respondents felt that this reform should not be implemented if it means higher taxes and cuts in other areas (50%), whilst 24% are in favour of implementing the reform.

Q. In the recent negotiations over trial sites for the NDIS, do you approve or disapprove of the positions taken by the following Governments?

Total approve

Total disapprove

Strongly approve

Approve

Disapprove

Strongly disapprove

Don’t know

The Federal Government – which has committed the majority of the funds required but wants the states to contribute some funding as well.

59%

14%

20%

39%

10%

4%

27%

The State Governments which first signed up for the trials (SA & Tasmania)

56%

8%

17%

39%

6%

2%

36%

The State Governments which did not sign up at first but made a later funding offer (Victoria & NSW)

44%

21%

7%

37%

15%

6%

35%

The Queensland Government which has not yet signed up

16%

48%

5%

11%

22%

26%

36%

59% approved of the position taken by the Federal Government and 56% approved of the positions taken by the SA and Tasmanian Governments which first signed up for the trials. 44% approved and 21% disapproved of the positions taken by the NSW and Victorian Governments which made a later funding offer but only 16% approved and 48% disapproved of the Queensland Government which has not yet signed up.

18% of Queenslanders approved and 45% disapproved of the Queensland Government’s position.

Of those who had heard a lot/fair amount about the NDIS, 76% approved of the Federal Government’s position, 81% approved of the SA and Tasmanian Governments’ position. Their attitude to the NSW/Victorian Governments was 57% approve/35% disapprove and 28% approve/63% disapprove for the Queensland Government.

John Della Bosca says funding the NDIS will be less costly than the future expense of disability.

THE Prime Minister’s announcement to fund a National Disability Insurance Scheme has been warmly welcomed – especially by Every Australian Counts who organised the national rallies and has lobbied long and hard.

Its campaign director, John Della Bosca, tells 3Q that people with a disability have been mistreated for years. The plan to institute a Medicare-style scheme a year earlier than recommended by the Productivity Commission is the first step in correcting the inequity.